KUALA LUMPUR (BLOOMBERG) - Public outrage over a death penalty handed to a 29-year-old man is spurring Malaysia to start talks to legalise marijuana for medical use, racing to become the first Asian country to do so.

The Cabinet has reached consensus to remove capital punishment in the man's case, but garnering support for legalising medical marijuana will be "an uphill battle", Dr Xavier said.

Canada has taken the lead in developing the medical marijuana sector, creating an industry worth more than US$60 billion (S$82 billion) ahead of legalising marijuana use next month.